That’s what Democrats say an extension of tax cuts for the middle class means to Michigan residents.

Democrats in Washington Wednesday say they’re mounting a push to at least get that part of the so-called “fiscal cliff” resolved by the end of the year.They’re trying to force a vote in the U.S. House on an extension already passed by the U.S. Senate in July.In Congress, Democrats control the Senate and Republicans control the House.

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“The House has not taken it up yet,” said U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat and Michigan’s junior senator. “It’s absolutely critical that this get done by the end of the year.

“We know the majority of House member support this,” Stabenow said in a conference call she held Wednesday afternoon. “The speaker and House Republicans just won’t bring it up.”

She said House Democrats are circulating a petition in the hopes of gaining 218 signatures that would force a vote.

“I’m hopeful we can get all the House members in Michigan to sign this so we can get this done,” Stabenow said.

The “fiscal cliff” is the combination of expiring tax cuts and mandatory federal budget cuts that take effect at the end of the year without action by Congress.Many economists feel the country could go back into recession unless a deal is struck to avoid the “fiscal cliff.”

Democrats say expiring tax cuts for the middle class amount to an average of $2,200 per family.

President Barack Obama has favored extending the tax cuts for people making less than $250,000 a year. Democrats say that represents 98 percent of U.S. taxpayers.

Republicans by and large favor extending the tax cuts, but want them extended for all taxpayers.

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, a Howell Republican, indicates he supports an extension of middle class tax cuts, but his office didn’t say whether he means it as part of a broader extension of tax cuts for all taxpayers — a sticking point with Republicans.

“If Congress does not act, the automatic tax increases set to take place on Jan. 1 will destroy private sector jobs in Michigan,” Yonkman said. “He looks forward to working on a bipartisan solution that protects Michigan families and makes American businesses more competitive.”

Rogers represents much of north Oakland County and will represent more of the county when new congressional district boundaries take effect in January.

Contact Charles Crumm at 248-745-4649, charlie.crumm@oakpress.com or follow him on Twitter @crummc and on Facebook.